exploring literary texts through e-learning · exploring literary texts through e-learning ......

EXPLORING LITERARY TEXTS

THROUGH E-LEARNING in the Junior Secondary English Language Classroom

Icebreaker

1. Why do you use e-resources? How do you use them?

2. Do you use Literary texts? What do you use? Have you

found any interesting texts or activities online to use with

your students?

3. Do you use poems and/or songs? Why? Why not? How?

4. Do you use films? Why? How?

Aims

(1) To introduce some e-resources which can be used in class

(2) To take part in demonstrations and activities which illustrate

how to engage students with literary texts using e-resources

(3) To consider how to design activities and tasks to engage

students with literary texts

(4) To reflect on the effective use of IT in the teaching and

learning of literary texts

Introduction

Defining e-learning....what does it mean for you?

A face to face course with additional online materials using:

• online text, video and audio,

• online tools and apps to support project work.

Introduction Selection criteria:

• topics and themes

• interests of students

• age

• maturity

• appropriacy

• ease of use/adaptability

• language

• text length

Introduction

Why use literary texts?

Literature can make positive contributions to the language class in that:

• It can be motivating and thought-provoking.

• It provides meaningful (and memorable) contexts for new vocabulary and

structures, thus encouraging language acquisition and expanding students’

language awareness.

• It provides access to new socio-cultural meanings, offering opportunities for the

development of cultural awareness.

• It stimulates the imagination, as well as critical and personal response, thus

contributing to the major aim of educating the whole person.

Ferradas http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/britlit-using-literature-efl-classrooms

Introduction

How should we use literary texts?

• Pre-reading.

Introduction


• Pre-reading.

• Reading.

• Opportunities to use the language.

• Follow up.

• Further analysis?

Colour the first line of each section of the story to break the text into

accessible sections and provide easy reference for the teacher.

Students read the text section by section and answer selected

questions about the characters/speculated on the story.

Guided Reading with a recording/CD.

Introduction


• Pre-reading.

• Reading

• Post-reading

• Students work on the characters to understand them more fully.

• Grammar practice/consciousness raising.

• Work on rhythm (poetry and songs).

• Students read and perform a narrative play/recite/sing.

• Students create posters about the text, choosing their favourite characters,

chunks of text and writing/discussing their response.

Introduction

Workshop approach to e-learning

Downloadable text or

text on screen with pre-

prepared worksheets

and/or audio support

Online video clips and worksheets

that can be downloaded

Online listening and

viewing with activities

Demonstration 1 - BritLit

Short stories and activities you can download and use in class

Aims

• To exploit a text and engage students to read, analyse and

respond to texts

• To provide clear staging with pre-reading, guided reading and

post reading stages.


A good number of BritLit kits have been developed with teenage and

young adult readers in mind. The texts selected are short, often have

audio support (downloadable mp3’s), can be read on screen if the reader

does not want to read print and the range of topics and styles is wide

enough to suit a variety of tastes and interests.

The Pink Bow Tie

A fourteen year old finds himself in trouble with the school Principal –

again. This time, however, he has a genuine excuse, but is he likely to

be believed?

Pink Bow Tie’ is from ‘Thirteen Unpredictable Tales’ by Paul Jennings

Reprinted with kind permission of Puffin Books, Australia

http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/pink-bow-tie

http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/britlit






http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/britlit


Pre - Reading 1

Why was the boy outside the principal’s office?

Why is the secretary smiling at the boy?

Why is the principal angry with the boy?

Who was on the train with the boy?

Why did the boy put out the cigarette?

Why did the boy try to open the window?

Did the principal believe the boy’s story?


Pre - Reading 2

Does the dialogue change the story?

Demonstration 1 - BritLit Reading Guide

1.Use the glossary provided for any difficult words/pre-teach words.

2.Let’s read. Stop at line 66.

Who are the 3 strange people on the train?

3.Read to line 80.

What happens when the kid ‘twiddles the knob’?

4.Read to line 118.

True or false? The adult clothes have disappeared.

5.Read to the end.

What has happened to Splodge?


What was strange for you?

• Smoking on trains?

• A boy smoking?

• A boy with dyed hair?

• A ticket collector?

• ?????


After Reading

What could we do?

Discuss in your groups.

Some ideas:

• Illustrating scenes from the story.

• Focus on characters – write short descriptions then guess who.

• Describe an ideal school with guided questions.


Follow-up Activities

Look at the three examples you have.

Which would you use with your students and why?

1. A Play based on the story

2. A discussion game – Punishment pelmanism

3. Word Work - Verbs with prepositions

Demonstration 1- BritLit

Toondo – a means of re-purposing

• To enable the students to interpret the text visually.

• To check understanding of the story.

• To enable close analysis in order to select ‘key’ features.

• To share interpretations.

• For peer and self-assessment.

• For formative assessment.

Demonstration 1- BritLit

Other sources of stories

Stories Alive

World Stories

Project Gutenberg

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/120/120-h/120-h.htm

http://www.language-education.com/eng/publications.asp

http://www.worldstories.org.uk/

https://www.gutenberg.org/






Aims

• To engage students with reading and analysing poetry

• To provide the steps to achieve this.

• To offer an approach to classic and modern poetry through visual

images/media.

Demonstration 2 – Poetry

What is a poem?

Share your ideas with the person next to you.


What is a poem?

Some definitions

• A composition in verse.

• A piece of writing arranged in short lines usually with a particular

rhythm and sometimes with rhymes.



Poetry is for

old people!

It’s just about

flowers and stuff!

When I heard we were doing

poetry in school, I was bored

before we had even started!

Why do teenagers feel like this?

How can we change their attitude?

• Discuss why poetry is not interesting.

• Discuss what makes a good poem.

• Show video clips of poetry/poets.

• Find a poem you like and perform it.

• Have the students perform their poems.


Ways in......

• Classic poetry.

• Modern Poetry.



Prose Poem - One man’s walk

This award-winning short film gives us a window into the world of Kenneth Mitchell.

The film was written by Kenneth’s brother, and has been shown at international film

festivals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7K5MNDAhl8

This film was created by Into Film, an organisation that uses film and media

production to develop skills in young people in the UK.

http://www.intofilm.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7K5MNDAhl8

http://www.intofilm.org/


1. Vocabulary

2. Comprehension

3. Discussion

4. Writing

5. Language

Demonstration 2 - Poetry

Poetry – One man’s walk

Preparation: matching

Match the vocabulary with the correct definition and write a–f next to the numbers 1–6.

1…….. backwards a. feel contempt or disdain for someone

2…….. look down on someone b. it’s the thing that’s most important for me

3…….. upset c. relaxing

4…….. chilling d. sad and angry

5…….. it’s what I’m all about e. tall buildings or high places

6…….. heights f. behind others in progress, the opposite to normal

1. Check your understanding Check your understanding

Demonstration 2 - Poetry

Discussion

What did you think of the film?

Why do you think Kenneth’s brother decided to write the film?

If you were going to make a film about your brother or sister, what type

of information would you include about them?

Demonstration 2 - Poetry One man’s walk – student version This is me, yeah.

This is how I see the world.

This is my _______ and my ________.

People __________ me.

People think I’m __________.

People think I’m __________.

________, man, is my passion, it’s my life.

________, I love it, it’s what I’m all about.

The world, I’m going to ________.

But it’s not all that good.

I don’t like people shouting at me, pointing their fingers.

I don’t like it when my mum’s upset.

Heights, yeah? I’m well not into that.

The best thing in life, yeah, it’s my family: my brother, my mother and

not forgetting my cat.

We have these family parties, yeah, everyone’s there.

Then there’s chilling with my friends; they are the best.

But fish and chips, I can’t get enough of that!

But that’s me, that’s who I am and that’s my walk.


Evaluative

Language

I’m well not into that.

I can’t get enough of that!


https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/uk-now/film-uk/


Film UK














Dylan Thomas – Here in this Spring

http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/season-poems

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/dylan-thomas

Aims

• To explore the poem.

• To engage students and encourage extensive reading.

• To help students expand their vocabulary.

• To give students opportunities to develop language skills.

Permission by the Trustees for the Copyrights of Dylan Thomas. Source: Davies, Walford (ed.) (1997) Everyman’s Poetry. Dylan Thomas. London: Orion









Dylan Thomas – Here in this Spring

1.Lead-in

2.Vocabulary

3.Reading and Listening

4.Reading and Discussion

Permission by the Trustees for the Copyrights of Dylan Thomas. Source: Davies, Walford (ed.) (1997) Everyman’s Poetry. Dylan Thomas. London: Orion


Lead-in

• Are there

differences

between seasons

in Hong Kong?

• What is your

favourite season?

Why?

Adapted from Materials by Chris Lima


Vocabulary


Reading and Listening

1. Listen to Dylan Thomas’ poem ‘Here in this spring’.

2. Do any of the words in your vocabulary box appear in the poem?

3. Circle or highlight them.

4. Now listen to the poem again and fill in the gaps.


Reading and Discussion

Discuss the questions below in pairs or small groups.

1. What is the main theme linking the missing words in the gap-fill?

2. What ideas do the words star and sun bring to you?

3. What ideas do the words worm and slug bring to you?

4. Why does the poet use these conflicting words in the same poem?

1. The passing of time – humans’ perception of time and change – the

endless circle of birth, death and rebirth.

2. Universe – immortality – immutability – the big order of things – divine

power.

3. Earth – mortality – temporality – the small order of things – nature.

4. By juxtaposing words associated with things that, from a human

perspective, last for long time (void – sun – timeless) to words related to

things that last for a short time (the seasons – birds – worm – slug – insect). It

suggests that the perception of time is relative. Perhaps from a slug’s point of

view, human beings last for ever.

Other sources

Shmoop

Project Gutenberg


http://www.shmoop.com/poetry/

https://www.gutenberg.org/

Demonstration 3 - Songs

White Satellite by Champs

CHAMPS is a band from the Isle of Wight in the UK. http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/uk-now/music-uk/champs-white-satellite

Aims

• To understand the song.

• To focus on rhyming words.

• To discuss the song’s message.

http://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/uk-now/music-uk/champs-white-satellite










White Satellite* by Champs

Look at the title.

What do you think the song is about?

Let’s listen and do the online activities.

*Music and lyrics by Michael & David Champion (cc).


1. Vocabulary

2. Lyrics Dictation

3. Comprehension

4. Pronunciation

5. Language

White Satellite – Champs


White Satellite – The Champs


White Satellite – The Champs

Language Analysis

1.Who is ‘we’? Who is ‘she’?

2.Why is the present perfect used in the first line?

3.Which words are repeated?

4.What effect does this have?

1. We don’t know. The people are not named as in most songs.

The song can belong to anyone in any situation.

2. This links the present and past and makes it more immediate.

3. We’ve all…..Carry me down….etc.

4. Most songs have some kind of repetition, even if it’s only in the

chorus. This helps us to remember the song.


Creativity

• Change all the nouns in the lyrics.

• Change all the verbs.

• Change the pronouns.

• Change the rhymes if you can….

Demonstration 3 - Songs Other Activities

1.Karaoke

2.Reconstruct the lyrics

3.Drama – write a role-play

4.Cloze….but have a purpose

5.Look for themes….love….war…..freedom…nature….

change

Demonstration 4 - Film English

Film English - promotes the innovative and creative use of film

in English language teaching and learning.

Aims:

• To explore an example of a film online and the activities connected

to the film.

• To practise question forms.

• To explore the theme of technology use in modern society.

• To make connections to an SBA discussion task.


Film English

http://englishagenda.britishcouncil.org/eltons

http://englishagenda.britishcouncil.org/eltons


Pre- watching - questions and role-play.

You are a fan of a famous actor. What questions would you ask them if

you met them?

What? Where? Why? How much/many/often? Do/Did? When? Can?

You are a famous actor who meets a fan. Your fan has a lot of questions

they want to ask you.

Prepare a list of your likes and dislikes, hobbies and other ‘secrets’ that

only fans would be interested in.


Vocabulary

What is a selfie?

Do you take selfies?

Why? What do you do with them?


Prediction – Freeze Frame

What is going to happen?

Watch and check

https://vimeo.com/106807552

Post-watching

• Have a look at the activities on the website.

• Can you find the downloadable materials?

• How would you use it?

http://film-english.com/

https://vimeo.com/106807552





Further stages

What could we do?

• A second viewing with discussion questions.

• Research projects based on the actor.

• Research projects on technology uses.

• Script-writing – continuing the story.

Reflection

Look at the questions on your worksheet. Use the clines to help

you assess the material.

Reflect on what you have experienced and discuss how you could

adapt the material for your own contexts.

Share your ideas briefly.

1. The activities were the right level for my students. Agree Disagree

Feedback

Please complete the feedback forms.

exploring literary texts through e-learning · exploring literary texts through e-learning ......

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